CULV

Out of everything Lenovo have announced at CES 2010, the IdeaPad U1 Hybrid Notebook is perhaps the most eye-catching. Already being compared by some to the much-loved HP tc1x00, the IdeaPad U1 features a removable multitouch-touchscreen slate which can be docked into a notebook form-factor. We grabbed some hands-on time with the Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid at CES Unplugged this evening; check out our first-impressions and video after the cut.

A few months back the Vaio T series notebooks were phased out due to increasing competition from other CULV notebook manufacturers. They have resurfaced again on Sony Japan's wesbite, now they are sporting CULV processors and a slew of other features. While they look the same as ever there is a lot of new stuff under the hood. For starters new processor options: the Celeron SU 2300 (1.2GHz, dual-core), Core 2 Duo SU9400 (1.4GHz, dual-core) and Core 2 Duo SU9600 (1.6GHz) are all available. The new T series supports up to 8GB of memory and new storage options include a 500GB HDD or a 512GB SSD.

The upcoming Gateway/Acer convertible tablet notebook has been spotted over at the FCC [pdf link], as the EC18T and the Aspire 1420P respectively. The 11.6-inch notebook uses an Intel CULV processor - the 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo SU2300 - and GMA 4500MHD graphics, along with up to 500GB of hard-drive space and up to 8GB of RAM.

Down under and looking for a new CULV notebook for the festive season? Pioneer Computers Australia may have just the thing, in the shape of the DreamBook Light U11; an 11.6-inch ultraportable, the U11 packs a choice of Intel dual-core (SU2300 or SU4100), Core 2 Solo (SU7300) or Core 2 Duo (SU9400 or SU9600) processors together with up to 4GB of memory and optional integrated 3G.

We'll admit to being a little confused as to the appeal of super-branded laptops like Acer's Ferrari series - it smacks a little of wearing a Ferrari jacket while you're driving your Accord - but where there's a market there'll be products to sate it. Enter Packard Bell's Valentino Rossi netbook, the Packard Bell dot Netbook VR46, likely to exaggerate the difference between Rossi's high-powered motorbike and an underpowered CULV netbook even more.

MSI have announced two new models in the X-Slim range of waifish ultraportables. The MSI X-Slim X350 and X-Slim X600 Pro pack 13.4-inch and 15.6-inch LCD LED-backlit displays respectively, along with Intel Core 2 Duo processors and HDMI outputs. The X600 Pro also squeezes in ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330 graphics (the X350 makes do with Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics) and gets optional WiMAX and twice the RAM: up to 4GB compared to the smaller model's 2GB maximum.

Dell's Adamo XPS is quite the machine, but it also has an eye-watering price. Happily the company have decided to borrow some of the Adamo style for a more entry-level model, in the shape of the new Dell Vostro V13. A 13.3-inch ultraportable measuring 0.65-inches thick and tipping the scales at under 3.5lbs, the Vostro V13 offers a choice of Intel CULV processors and kicks off at a frankly hard-to-believe $450.

The Lenovo IdeaPad U150 CULV ultraportable last spotted strutting its patterned stuff in Japan last month has finally made it to the US, with pricing kicking off at $649. The U150 packs a choice of 1.3GHz Pentium dual-core or Core 2 Duo processors, together with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, 250GB or 320GB of storage and an 11.6-inch 1,366 x 768 LED-backlit display.

HP’s Pavilion DM1 is still yet to show up for pre-order on the company’s US site (though the support pages are full of information) but that hasn’t stopped Netbooked from grabbing one of the 11.6-inch ultraportables for review. They reckon the DM1 “fares decently” among its peers, though they’re not impressed by the amount of screen flex on show (you can press the trackpad buttons by pushing down on the edge of the lid when closed).

Dell have finally pushed the Adamo XPS out of the door, and for a whopping $1,799 you can take home a 9.99mm thick ultraportable. With the Adamo XPS, actual computing is only a minor part of the story: it seems Dell have gone for showmanship instead, with their touch-to-open latch and distinctive hinged-keyboard.

It used to be that only the smallest, most frugal of netbooks - paired with huge, 9-cell batteries - could offer the reassurance of a full day away from an outlet. Now, with the advent of Intel's consumer ultra-low voltage processors, notebooks that wouldn't look out of place on a regular desk can now boast lengthy run-times too. Into the fray steps the Gateway EC5409u, distinguishing itself not only by virtue of healthy battery life predictions - up to 8hrs, Gateway ambitiously suggest - but a reasonably-sized 15.6-inch display. Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

We've seen it teased and we've seen the first photos, but today Dell is finally giving us the skinny (pun intended) on the thinnest notebook ever – the Dell Adamo XPS. The 9.99 mm thin notebook, which will be shipping in time for the holidays, will inevitably be compared to Apple’s Macbook Air and no doubt it is thinner, but the starting $1,800 price tag won't make it cheaper.